how to remove unused pads from from board layout

[Anonymous]

I am creating an Arduino Due Shield for a project and have downloaded a Eagle cad library shield to use. I would like to remove unused pads so that it will free up room for my traces. What is the procedure for doing this operation . I am assuming that I will need to go back to the schematic view and remove the pins but I cannot figure out how to do that.

If there is another post that has asked this same question please point me in that direction.

Thanks ! 

[Anonymous]

Hi,

I assume, your schematic symbol for Arduino shield is built from certain pads up, that you are able to place single pad from Arduino board. In this case you just have to find out the name of unwanted pad, lets say "X1", syncronise the schematic and your layout files and go to the scematic and search for "X1" and delete it.

Maybe your arduino shield is build up as an IC, that means you place one symbol on the scematic (e.g. opamp) and even though this is just one of two possible opamps on the layout you get entire IC-case with both opamps, not just a part of an IC with one opamp. In this case you can create a copy of your library data of the arduino board and then delete the unwanted parts. Save the copy with other name, e.g. "shield_Version2" and then change your symbol(s) on the schematic with this new copy: "shield_Verson2". If the schematic and layout are syncronised, the deleted pads in the library data dissapear.

[Anonymous]

Ok I think that I am trying to do that in the Library manager and when I try to delete the pad it says I can't because its connected to a pin. If  I go to the schematic view and try to delete the pin it says I can't because its connected to a pad.

I am struggling mightily in this electronics side of Fusion. I guess I am asking for some step by step advise as I am not understanding how or where I should be trying to remove the pads.

Thanks  again !

[Anonymous]

Hi,

if you can't delete the pad in the library manager, you should remove assosiation between sch. symbol and layout symbol. Click "connect" in the right lower corner and than disconnect in the new popup window, see attached picture. Of course, this is half so quick and twice so dirty.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the help. I just did a quick run through and that will allow me to get my footprint cleaned up so I can have more room for my traces. I tried using Eagle cad years ago for some layouts and found it just to complicated for the occasional user. I am Fusion360 user on the Mechanical side but really don't do a lot of PCB work so this has been a long process to make these boards. Thanks again for the help ! I really wish there was a Fusion360 electrical for dummies.